Is a not-for- profit community based organisation providing culturally responsive services to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia.

Kirrawe is a Public Benevolent Institution, Deductable Gift Recipient and has Charity status under both the QLD Collections Act 1966 and Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission (ACNC).

AIM - To be an accountable, responsible, compassionate organisation providing quality services and support to those most in need.

Kirrawe is dedicated to ‘closing the gap’ and rebuilding those lives affected by the cycles of inter-generational trauma, alcohol and drug misuse, domestic/family violence, unemployment, poverty, homelessness, child neglect and removal.

Kirrawe responds to community needs, using strengths based approaches and empowerment strategies to increase clients social and emotional wellbeing.

Kirrawe provides 'a hand up not a hand out'

We believe that well functioning families are the cornerstone of our community, and connection to family, community and 'Country' being the birth right of every Indigenous child.

Kirrawe promotes identity and pride in our First Nations youth. We want our children to have the same life chances as other Australian children, to grow up at home with their families, get a good education and be proud of their heritage and culture.

LATEST NEWS

Our office is closed for the Christmas/New Year break and will reopen 28 January 2019. The Directors and CEO wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Our 'New Chapters' Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative (funded by Department of Employment, Small Business and Training) continues to see positive results. Kirrawe working in partnership with Heart Futures and The Learning Collaborative, have achieved excellent results and made a difference in the lives of so many young people, with employment outcomes and life changes. Particularly powerful are our culture camps which focuses on building relationships, positive sense of self, increasing self esteem and promoting identity as First Nations peoples.

The Kirrawe Kidz Program (funded by Prime Minister & Cabinet) also achieved excellent results. We would like to congratulate Eric and Hayden, two of own fine young men who played in the Commonwealth Games Didgeridoo Orchestra.

The young people enjoyed sessions which includes bush craft, traditional art and storytelling, playing the didgeridoo, singing in language and growing healthy foods at the Community Garden.

The boys participated in our one day Didgeridoo Workshops with Leeton, where each boy received his own instrument while being taught the basics of making sound. They then decorated it using their own style of art making it truly their own.

As with most Charities we rely on the goodwill of others, to help us help those most in need and we are currently seeking donations for:

Kirrawe Indigenous Mentoring Service (KIMS) for 9 - 14 year olds

Kirrawe ran a pilot project over a three month period and the findings gave a clear indication of the benefits to our young people:

After attending the program the mentees displayed more positive behaviours at home and in the community. There were less suspensions from school and attendance increased

A facility where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers can live and learn how to parent their babies in a safe, supportive environment.

This program is critical as it aims to prevent newborns being removed at birth due to protective concerns - forever breaking that important bond between mother and child:

We need funding to pay suitably qualified and skilled staff to ensure babies are safe and mothers are supported

We need funding to pay for operational costs/insurances to ensure we meet our legislative and risk management obligations

We need a suitable facility that has enough rooms for six - ten mothers and bubs at a time

The Rosey's Cottage Program was officially endorsed by Indigenous and non-Indigenous community organisations, local Elders and other participants attending the Indigenous Child Protection Forum held at the Hub during Child Protection Week.

Rosey's Cottagewill be a culturally safe and comfortable residential facility, providing 24 hour support to Indigenous women who are at risk of having their newborn infantsremoved at birth and placed in foster care

Currently there is no facility in South East Queensland providing this type of service

Research indicates there is an increase in the removal of 'at risk' Indigenous newborns from hospital.

While reasons for this vary, history has shown that this is not the way to proceed.

Kirrawe wants to give these Mum's a chance to prove they have the capability to keep their child safe:

Qualified staff will assist with nurturing activities such as breastfeeding, bathing and interacting with the infant

Through effective case management, clients will be referred on to relevant services (housing, health, family support programs) prior to them leaving Rosey's Cottage

The three month live in program will include parenting classes, budgeting and other training to enable mums to care for their child appropriately

To prevent another 'Stolen Generation' we need your help to make this happen!

Donations are urgently needed to rent, buy or build a facility and employ skilled and compassionate staff to supportthese mothers:

Staff will be onsite 24 hours per day to assist mums keep these babies safe and out of the state welfare system

Both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities see this program as a priority.

Please note: As Kirrawe is a DGR and registered Charity all donations over $2.00 are tax deductable.

EVENTS....

Kirrawe facilitated a Workshop to discuss the 'Current and Emerging Issues in Indgenous Child Protection'. This forum provided an opportunity for Elders, community members, not for profit organisations and government representatives to come together, talk about these issues and put forward strategies to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the welfare system. From this Workshop the idea for Rosey's Cottage came about.

Kirrawe hosted a NAIDOC luncheon and Workshop at the Labrador Community Hub with local Elder Aunty Joyce Summers presenting 'Spiritual Connection to Country'.

Kirrawe held another successful Indigenous Art, Craft and Food Festival 'Stand Up Against Violence' at the Labrador Community Hub. The Festival was held on National Sorry Day, at the end of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and marked the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. Over 260 people attended from as far away as Brisbane and Northern NSW.

Kirrawe also hosted a National Sorry Day Event with a presentation by Ms Kathy Frankland (DATSIMA)‘A brief History of Government Administration of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Queensland' followed by a buffet luncheon.

Funding

The Directors would like to acknowledge and thank Prime Minister & Cabinet for their support with the Kirrawe Kidz Program.

Other funding bodies over the years have included Medicare Local, the Queensland Community Benefit Fund, Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs, Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment, Gold Coast City Council, FaHCSIA, The Healing Foundation, Stolen Generation Alliance, Child Protection Week Committee, the Rotary Club of Southport and Wesley Mission.